SHIPPING- SUMMARY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 74, 18 November 1864, Page 4

SHIPPING- SUMMARY.

There lias been a gratifying revival in our shipping trade during the past month. The arrivals from foreign ports (otherwise than Prcfvincial) nave been considerably in excess of tho3e of several months past ; at the same time the tonnage has not greatly increased, if we except the vessels engaged •in the ISTew Zealand and Victorian trade -which make Bluff Harbor the fir3t and la3t port of call on the passage. In this line of trade communication during the month has been Vfell maintained, and great advantages are thereby conferred on the Province from the consequent facilities of intercourse with other markets. Communication with. Dunedin is still maintained hy means of the s.s. Titania, but the traffic for some time past cannot have been a remunerative source of profit to the owners. The s.s. William MisMn, also in the Dunedin and Invereargili trade, has lately been subsidised by the Otago Government to open up steam communication ■with the ports of Molyneux and Waikava and the capital of that Province. Her visits to InTercargill it is expected vrill be discontinued for the present. / There are signs of a trade springing up -rrith Newcastle (N.S.W.) with coal. The fir3t vessel with a cargo of coal arrived at the Port of Invercargill a short; time ago, and it is understood that regular consignments are contemplated. Supplies of this article haTe likewise been received from Donedin. Two Teasels haTe reached the Province from the home country during the month, the barques Escape and Southland. The Escape however, had been in JS"ew Zealand waters for some time previous to her arrival here, having been discharging cargo at Dunedin. She came into the harbor hero on the Ist inst. The Southland came into port on 22nd ulfc. after a passage of 100 days. Both vessels hail from Leith. The Southland brought a few passengers, all well. After discharging ; cargo,' she cleared out for Dunedin a considerable portion of her loading being for that place. The Escape .is laid on the berth for London, and will bo the first wool ship from this Province for thi* season. The tiniber trade of the Province is assuming important dimeneions, andpromige&to be a 80UTC0 of considerable prosperity. Cargoes of timber hare found their way from Stewart's Island during . the month to several of the Northern Provinces, including Otago, Canterbury, Taranaki, and Auckland. With Dunedin there is a constant traffic carried on, and to a large extent. A large cargo of sawn timber will shortly bo dispatched to Melbourne ; and more shipments to Auckland are talked of. Only two vessels, (other than eteamera) Jlftve arrived during the month from the port' of Melbourne — the achoonere Jane j and Lconidft*. Both brought largo cargoes of general merchandise. ' T , The lighthbtwo 'novr being erected on "Dog j Island, Foveaux Strait*, in font approaching completion. The tower in to' bo ono hundred feet in height, and only ten feet of /stonework are now required to be to attain this altitude. Tholttstwn and requisite machinery hare been discharged on the inland laat week by the General Qormmmii &s< Bi, KUd>> w& ty U calculated £hfttaHTrfllb«in vorking m&iv befw* tha end, ot J>wtm\xn, 'Mi lighiliouio will be of tbo

what intricate channels between the Waipapa Point and Bluff Harbor.' A sunken reef off Waipapa Point has now been struck three times "by passing vessels, and it would be highly desirable" to hare the precise spot defined in :the charts. , No very serious damage has yet been sustained by vessels coming incontact with' it, but we hope'no delay will take "place . in adopting the , necessary precautionary measures. ' - : : J - ■■■•"■•" The foil owing is a comparative return of vessels, cleared out at the Port; of Invercafgill for. the. quarters ending 30th Sept., 1863, and 30th Sept.,' 1864,;- as extracted from the Provincial Govern-: ment Gazette: — • : ,]'\\ '"'"'.. \> ' ',' ' '■'.. 'V ' " iS63) • J 1864; " dumber of steamers..... 29 is Gross tonnage of do. ..i 2,033 1,362.; i Number o£ coasters ..;...•; .32 ■ .66* Gross tonnage of do. ... ,905 1,510 Noj of vessels from the ■- ; , j Colonies' and elsewhere 32 8 Gross tonnage of do. ... 6,190 1,367 Total number of vessels , C1eared:................ 93 92 Avbrage tonnage of each, 98 1-7 46 1-18 Number of vessels pi10ted...;............. 56 21 Pilotage received......... £195 6s £51 Bs. 6d. ■ ■ . •_ «~